Knicks Have Concerns About Julius Randle Following Ejection
The Knicks are concerned about Julius Randle‘s “overall psyche” after a season-long series of incidents that included an ill-timed ejection Friday night, a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post.
Randle had 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes when he was tossed from the game with 2:40 left in the third quarter following an altercation with the Suns’ Cameron Johnson. Both players received technical fouls, and Randle got a second technical for making contact with an official who was trying to separate them. The Knicks were leading at the time, but wound up losing when Johnson banked in a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving New York its 17th defeat in the last 20 games.
Coach Tom Thibodeau admitted afterward that Randle used bad judgment, saying, “You can’t cross over that line. You’ve got to know where to stop.’’
The ejection was the latest incident involving Randle this season, Berman notes, a list that includes giving a “thumbs-down” gesture to fans at Madison Square Garden and repeated battles with referees and assistant coaches.
The source tells Berman that Randle didn’t report to training camp in top physical condition like he did last season when he was named Most Improved Player and was a second-team All-NBA selection.
There are also theories that he’s jealous of RJ Barrett, who has surpassed him as the team’s top star. Berman points out that Randle has skipped the player introductions during the last six road games, although he still participates at home.
Asked on Friday if he was concerned about Randle’s well-being, Thibodeau responded, “I’m concerned about everything.”
Randle’s behavior is potentially a long-term concern for the franchise considering that he received a four-year, $117MM extension during the offseason, including a player option in 2025/26. If the Knicks decide to try to trade him this summer, they’ll likely have to take back at least one bad contract in return.
Frank Vogel Resisting Pressure To Pull Russell Westbrook From Starting Lineup
Several people in the Lakers’ organization want to see Russell Westbrook coming off the bench, but head coach Frank Vogel has resisted making the move, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Although Vogel is supporting Westbrook, tensions between them have been growing this week, sources tell Wojnarowski, including an incident at a film session on Friday. Westbrook and the coaching staff have “differing visions” on how he should be used, Woj adds.
Westbrook spoke out publicly about his frustrations on Thursday, saying his role with the team has changed “every single night.” A ball-dominant player throughout his career, Westbrook has been asked lately to spend more time off the ball and give up some of his play-making duties.
Vogel admitted to reporters on Friday that he has talked to the front office about moving Westbrook to a reserve role, but he downplayed the significance of those conversations.
“We have discussions, just like the front office has thousands of trade discussions every deadline, and they don’t discuss every one of those,” Vogel said. “Most of them don’t come to fruition. And that’s where we’re at with Russ. Is there a path where that’s the better option? We have talked about that. We’ve talked about everything we can do with our team. We’re not there.”
The dispute comes at a particularly bad time for the Lakers, who have dropped 11 of their past 14 games and are in danger of falling into the final play-in spot. Westbrook’s shooting struggles have played a significant role in the downturn, Wojnarowski adds, as he’s connecting at less than 30% from three-point range for the fourth time in five seasons and has gone 10 consecutive games without reaching 20 points for the first time since 2009.
Paul George Shoots With Right Hand During Practice
Paul George continues to make progress toward a possible return from a torn ligament in his right elbow, tweets Law Murray of The Athletic. At today’s practice, George shot with his right hand for the first time since suffering the injury, offering some encouragement to the Clippers‘ coaching staff.
Murray cautions that George is still limited to a 17-foot shooting range, and his next MRI on the elbow hasn’t been scheduled. With five weeks left in the regular season and an appearance in the play-in tournament seeming likely, the Clippers are operating on a tight window to get George back.
After some prodding, coach Tyronn Lue said George is “doing better,” tweets Mirjam Swanson of The Orange County Register, who also posted a video of George putting up shots.
George was posting All-Star numbers at 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per night before spraining the elbow in a December 6 game. He rested for two weeks, but was only able to play in two more games before the team announced on December 25 that he had a torn UCL.
The Clippers have managed to remain in the playoff race without George and Kawhi Leonard, who hasn’t played at all this season after having surgery on a partially torn ACL that he suffered during last year’s playoffs. L.A. is currently eighth in the West at 34-31.
The team hasn’t given any indication that George or Leonard will return this season, but they also haven’t officially been ruled out. If George is able to take the court again, it could provide incentive for Leonard, although a report on his progress last month sounded pessimistic.
Zion Williamson Returning To New Orleans, Progressing In Basketball Activities
Another positive development in Zion Williamson‘s recovery from a foot injury could mean he’ll return to action before the end of the regular season.
Williamson is returning to New Orleans after rehabbing in Portland and has been cleared to progress in basketball activities, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Will Guillory report (via Twitter).
The top pick in the 2019 draft hasn’t appeared in a game since last May. The Pelicans have been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, winning their last four games and currently holding the last spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament. Naturally, the insertion of Williamson into the lineup would make them a dangerous team in the postseason.
Earlier this week, the Pelicans provided an update on Williamson’s rehab from right foot surgery, stating that recent imaging showed “improved bone healing” in the fifth metatarsal. However, the update also struck a cautious tone with no established timetable for his return.
Williamson will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason and it would certainly be helpful for both parties to see him back in action before the season’s end.
Brook Lopez Cleared To Practice For Bucks
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, including Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that center Brook Lopez has been cleared to practice five-on-five with contact. It’s great news for both Lopez and the team, as he’s been sidelined indefinitely following back surgery to address a bulging disc in his lower back on December 2.
“He will now start having some scrimmage and contact and we’ll organize that,” Budenholzer said. “It’s another good, positive step for him on his return to play.”
As Owczarski relays, Budenholzer said that the team’s G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, will likely temporarily relocate from Oshkosh to Milwaukee in order for Lopez to get the practice reps he needs. Owczarski notes that the Herd are off from Sunday through Friday next week, which should allow Lopez a good opportunity for full contact work.
Lopez, 33, appeared in the Bucks’ season opener and has been out ever since. He played a key role in the team’s championship run last season, starting all 23 playoff games while averaging 13 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on .548/.319/.860 shooting.
The Bucks have missed Lopez’s interior presence this season, especially on defense. They’ve dropped to 13th in defensive rating after ranking first, first and 10th the past three seasons.
Milwaukee’s coach also provided injury updates on George Hill and Pat Connaughton, per Owczarski. Hill has missed 12 straight games with neck soreness (including Friday against Chicago), but he’s getting close to a return. “I think we’re hopeful that he’ll play in the next week,” Budenholzer said.
Connaughton, meanwhile, is progressing in his rehab. He’s two-plus weeks removed from a fracture on his right hand, which is expected to keep him out at least four weeks. “I think more just following the timeline as expected is positive,” Budenholzer said, according to Owczarski. “He’s been able to kind of do a little bit more as the week has passed, but it’s still got a little ways to go.”
Nik Stauskas Signs Two-Year Contract With Celtics
MARCH 4: The Celtics have officially signed Stauskas, the team announced. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
MARCH 3: Nik Stauskas is signing a two-year deal with the Celtics, agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
The veteran guard has been lighting it up in the G League, scoring a combined 100 points in his last two games for the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets’ G League affiliate. Overall, Stauskas is averaging 26 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 4.7 APG in G League competition over 14 games this season.
Stauskas, a lottery pick by Sacramento back in 2014, played two games for the Heat this season under the 10-day hardship exemption. Prior to that, Stauskas had not appeared in an NBA game since the 2018/19 season, when he played in a combined 68 contests for Portland and Cleveland.
In 338 career NBA appearances, Stauskas has averaged 6.8 PPG in 19.8 MPG while making 35.4% of his long-range attempts.
Boston has an open roster spot, plus two players with 10-day contracts (Kelan Martin and Malik Fitts) that are near expiration. Jaylen Brown missed Thursday’s game against Memphis with an ankle injury and Aaron Nesmith left the game early with an ankle sprain.
While the exact terms of Stauskas’ deal aren’t yet known, a minimum-salary contract that isn’t guaranteed for next season seems likely.
Victor Oladipo Could Make Season Debut On Monday
Victor Oladipo is expected to make his season debut for the Heat against Houston on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
Oladipo has been rehabbing from quad tendon surgery and has only played four games with Miami since being acquired last March from the Rockets. He recently participated in three practices with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Oladipo, who will likely play backup at point guard behind Kyle Lowry, was signed to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal last offseason and will re-enter the free agent market this summer.
Oladipo played 33 games last season with Indiana, Houston and Miami, averaging 19.8 points on 41% shooting. His last healthy season was the 2017/18 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 23.1 points and 2.4 steals in 75 games (34.0 MPG). He also shot 47.7% from the floor and 37.1% from deep that season.
DeAndre Jordan Signs With Sixers
MARCH 3, 7:58pm: The Sixers have officially signed Jordan and ended Cauley-Stein’s 10-day deal, the team confirmed in a press release. Jordan will earn a rest-of-season salary of $592,103, while Philadelphia takes on a cap hit of $374,126.
MARCH 3, 1:55pm: Jordan is expected to sign with the Sixers unless a team claims him off waivers prior to the 4:00pm CT deadline Thursday, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). A waiver claim is considered unlikely, says Wojnarowski.
The Sixers plan to release Willie Cauley-Stein from his 10-day contract a couple days early in order to sign Jordan, Wojnarowski tweets. Cauley-Stein’s 10-day deal had been on track to run through March 5.
FEBRUARY 28: The Sixers are the frontrunners to acquire DeAndre Jordan, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, though the timing of such a move will have luxury tax implications.
The Lakers are waiving DeAndre Jordan in order to add free agent guard D.J. Augustin. Once Jordan hits the waiver wire, his veteran’s minimum contract could be claimed by any team. Philadelphia, which has the seventh-best record in the league, is low in the pecking order.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN points out (Twitter link), Philadelphia currently has a projected $13.19MM tax bill and that would rise to $16.1MM if the team claims Jordan and his $1.66MM cap hit.
If the Sixers wait for Jordan to pass through waivers with the hope no other team claims him, they could sign him for the prorated veteran’s minimum. In that scenario, their projected tax bill would only increase to $13.8MM.
The Sixers have been seeking a veteran center to back up Joel Embiid since trading Andre Drummond to Brooklyn in the Ben Simmons–James Harden blockbuster. They acquired Paul Millsap in that deal but Millsap, 37, is 6’7”’ and a natural forward. They also signed Willie Cauley-Stein to a 10-day deal but may view Jordan as a better option.
Joe Harris To Undergo Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
6:45pm: Harris will be out four-to-six months, agent Mark Bartelstein told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Harris is expected to be 100 percent for the start of next season.
6:11pm: Nets forward Joe Harris will undergo season-ending left ankle surgery, general manager Sean Marks said in a YES Network interview (Twitter link via Frank Isola).
The possibility of Harris requiring another ankle surgery was raised a month ago. The veteran sharpshooter hasn’t played since November 14 and underwent left ankle surgery later that month. The original prognosis was that Harris would miss approximately four-to-eight weeks.
It’s another negative development in a tumultuous Brooklyn season that has included Kyrie Irving‘s vaccination stance, Kevin Durant‘s knee injury and the James Harden–Ben Simmons trade. Durant returned to action on Thursday but it’s still up in the air when Simmons might suit up.
Harris sustained the injury against Oklahoma City. Heading into that game, the 30-year-old had been averaging 11.9 PPG and 4.1 RPG. Last season, Harris averaged 14.1 PPG, shooting 47.5% from 3-point range in 69 regular season games.
He re-signed with Brooklyn on a four-year, $75MM contract in November 2020. The Nets added Seth Curry in the deal with the Sixers and Bruce Brown has carved out a steady role but the loss of Harris still ranks as a major blow to the team’s championship aspirations.
Marks issued a statement which reads in part, “Although Joe worked diligently over the past several months to rehab his ankle and exhausted every possible avenue in order to get back on the court with his teammates, it was been determined that he will require an additional arthroscopic surgery in the coming weeks.”
OG Anunoby Expected To Miss Two Weeks With Broken Finger
MARCH 3: Anunoby is expected to miss the next two weeks and then will be re-evaluated regarding his timetable for a return to action, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
MARCH 1: After he fractured his right ring finger, there was some concern that Raptors small forward OG Anunoby might require surgery to correct the ailment. However, a hand specialist who consulted Anunoby in Los Angeles on Monday informed the 24-year-old swingman that his broken finger should fully heal on its own within the next two weeks, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca (via Twitter).
According to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link), Anunoby saw his status upgraded to questionable ahead of the Raptors’ Tuesday night contest in Toronto, a 109-108 victory over the Nets, though he ultimately didn’t play. The team is still trying to determine whether or not Anunoby will be able to play with some pain and return sooner rather than later, says Lewenberg.
Anunoby had been experiencing soreness in the digit for some time even before the NBA All-Star break, and an X-ray last week finally revealed the fracture.
Anunoby is enjoying a career-best season with Toronto, his fifth in the league and with the Raptors. The 6’7″ wing out of Indiana is averaging 17.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.5 SPG, with shooting splits of .436/.351/.748. He has missed the past three games due to the fracture. Big man Khem Birch has been promoted to the starting lineup in Anunoby’s absence.